The U.S. Department of Education (through the National Center for Education Statistics or NCES) developed a classification of instructional programs (CIP codes) in 1980 to support accurate tracking and reporting of fields of study and program completions.  The CIP taxonomy is typically updated every 10 years. The majority of CIP titles correspond to academic and occupational instructional programs offered for credit at the postsecondary level. These programs result in recognized completion points and awards, including degrees, certificates, and other formal awards.

The CIP also includes instructional programs such as residency programs in various health professions that may lead to advanced professional certification; personal improvement and leisure programs; and programs taught in schools of continuing education and professional development (the majority of the latter group are non-credit).

The CIP is the accepted federal government standard on instructional program classifications and is used in a variety of education information surveys and databases.

States like Minnesota and Texas assign CIP codes to all approved academic programs, facilitating standardized data collection and reporting.

See Topic: Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) | Learn & Work Ecosystem Library (learnworkecosystemlibrary.com)